Attitudes toward Punjabi Language, Identity Construction, and Intergenerational Language Shift in Pakistan: A Quantitative Analysis

Abstract

Language is an important element in the construction of social identity. The role of indigenous languages in multilingual postcolonial communities like Pakistan is complex because of power, prestige, and institutional policies. Even though Punjabi language is the most spoken language in Pakistan, it has yet to be mainstreamed in formal sectors, education, and as an official language. This paper presents quantitative research on language perception, bilingualism, and intergenerational transmission of Punjabi language among Pakistani Punjabi language speakers, specifically in terms of identity construction and youth identity perceptions. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 100 Punjabi language speakers (both urban and rural residents of Sargodha). The questionnaire quantified attitudes toward Punjabi language as a marker of identity, the perceived prestige of the language, language use according to domain, and intergenerational language transmission. SPSS was used to conduct descriptive statistical analysis in terms of frequencies, percentages, and modes. This research indicates a very high level of symbolic association of Punjabi language with cultural and ethnic identity, along with an observed shift toward its loss in functional use at public, religious, and peer levels. Although there is pride in Punjabi language among the respondents and a belief that it should be taught in schools, intergenerational transmission appears to be weakening, especially among younger speakers. This paper points to the ironical state of affairs in which Punjabi language remains strong in terms of emotional and identity value but continues to fall behind in terms of institutional and intergenerational positioning. The results contribute to the sociolinguistic debate on language attitudes, language identity, and language shift in South Asia and present implications for language policy and educational planning in Pakistan.